Viokace

What is the most important information I should know about pancrelipase?

You should not take pancrelipase if you are allergic to pork proteins.

Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of a rare but serious bowel disorder: severe or unusual stomach pain, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.

What is pancrelipase?

Pancrelipase is a combination of three enzymes (proteins): lipase, protease, and amylase. These enzymes are normally produced by the pancreas and are important in the digestion of fats, proteins, and sugars.

Pancrelipase is used to replace these enzymes when the body does not have enough of its own. Certain medical conditions can cause this lack of enzymes, including cystic fibrosis, chronic inflammation of the pancreas, or blockage of the pancreatic ducts.

Pancrelipase may also be used following surgical removal of the pancreas.

Pancrelipase may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking pancrelipase?

You should not take pancrelipase if you are allergic to pork proteins.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

kidney disease;

gout;

diabetes;

a blockage or scarring in your intestines;

trouble swallowing pills; or

lactose intolerance.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breast-feed a baby while you are using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I take pancrelipase?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Do not switch brands of this medicine without your doctor's advice.

Pancrelipase should be taken with a meal or snack.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for use provided with your medicine. Be especially careful to follow all directions about giving this medicine to a child. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Do not crush, chew, or break a pancrelipase capsule or tablet. Swallow it whole with a full glass of water.

Do not hold the pill in your mouth. Pancrelipase can irritate the inside of your mouth.

If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Do not save it for later use. Do not mix the medicine with infant formula or breast milk.

Do not inhale the powder from a pancrelipase capsule, or allow it to touch your skin. It may cause irritation, especially to your nose and lungs.

Pancrelipase is sometimes given with a stomach acid reducer such as Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, or Protonix. Follow your doctor's instructions about taking all medicines needed to treat your condition.

Tell your doctor if you have any changes in weight. Pancrelipase doses are based on weight (especially in children and teenagers), and any changes may affect the dose.

Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using pancrelipase.

Common side effects may include:

stomach pain, gas, upset stomach;

diarrhea, frequent or abnormal bowel movements;

rectal itching;

headache;

runny or stuffy nose, sore throat; or

changes in your blood sugar.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect pancrelipase?

Other drugs may affect pancrelipase, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about pancrelipase.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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